Standing guard at the door in your castle

Hi guys

Firstly I would just like to take this time to thank you to everybody that has read and commented on my blog so far. I love blogging and this is my third month of it and I have no intention of stopping. So a massive THANK YOU to you all :) :)

Now on to the really good stuff .....

I spotted these door stops through a company called Dora Designs and to continue with the British theme I thought they were very quirky and rather sweet. My favourite has to be the Bulldog. Which is yours ???

Standing Guard

You cant have a castle and not have a Corgi dog

The British Bulldog standing proud and strong at your door.

Todays update is just a quick one and it was just a few items that I happened to come across

I will update again this week so.......

Until next time........STAY CREATIVE :) :)

Cupcakes fit for a Queen...

Hi Guys. How are you all today. Here in the Uk the weather is wonderful. Sun is out and there is a smile on everybodys face :) :) :)

My last post was about adding the finishing touch to your homemade Victoria Sponge, but if you prefer something more refined and gentle, why not look at the very popular cupcake.  

This delightfull cupcake set comes with 24 cake wraps in 3 designs and 15 cake toppers in 5 designs. All you need to do is bake those yummy cakes and once out the oven wrap around your cupcake and secure using the tab. To finish add the frosting and top with the Jubilee Toppers. These are from a company called Kitchenware.

If you make all those cupcakes you need to do 2 things. Firstly save me one :) :) and secondly you will need something to display them on.

This cupcake stand I saw on AMAZON and is through a company called Premier Housewares. The unit stands 33 x36 x 36cm. It is from there I LOVE UK design and will hold up to 28 cupcakes. It is made from laminated carboard and really is an excellent centre piece for your table.

Until we speak again have a wonderful day and.......STAY CREATIVE :)

-Z

Bake a Cake and Top It

Hi Everybody. How are you all.
I just found a few Jubilee pieces that I thought were nice. You may even say they are quite humorous.
The below item is a set of stand up cake toppers, which includes Buckingham Palace, the Horse Drawn Carriage, Military Guards, 2 Corgis and of course the couple themselves. Perfect to decorate your Victoria Sponge in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee.
I found them on the website:
www.katespartyshop.com/index.php/party-supplies/party-tableware/jubilee-pop-out-cake-toppers.html and for the full set are priced at only £3.49. It gives you an excuse to bake lots of lovely cakes. MMMMmmmmmm :) :) :)

Above is a truly delightful sandwich stand for the table. Each one of these Union Jack Sandwich Stand Sets include one Union Jack Sandwich Stand which are each 16in x 14in x 14in. Perfect way of serving the cucumber sandwiches (with no crusts of course) or even your home made Chicken Tikka sandwich (and yes these are a British culinary delight:) ). It was found on the website:
www.oohpartyideas.co.uk/union-jack-sandwich-stand and come in at only £6.99. Great buy.

Until Nest Time ....... STAY CREATIVE.
-Z

I Bring To You.........The Queens Cushion

Hi Everybody.

Its that time of the week again where I happened to pass upon this and thought I would share it with you. This cushion is all hand embroidered and is certainly on the luxurious side, but why not treat yourself :)

It comes in at £75 by TUGBA KOP ILLUSTRATION. I found it on a website called notonthehighstreet.com.

The  details of the crown have been embroidered using free machine embroidery. The fabrics

vary from furry felt to silky satin.

This cushion measures approximately 45cm x 45cm.

The designer explains that all of the embroidered designs are drawn from observation, traced and stitched over free hand on the sewing machine.

Let me know what you think of it and remember that each one is unique and hand made. :) :) :) :)

Until Next Time........Stay Creative

-Z 

Queens Premier Jubilee Update

This this an update of mt last post regarding those wonderful UK designed producets from Premier Housewares. The range is called 'I LOVE UK' and all items in the picture appear to be on AMAZON.

The Teapot above is hand painted and holds 1000ml of fluid. On AMAZON is is selling for £12.99



 The Tea cups come in a set of for and are again hand pained. These are on at £14.99 down from £24.99

This delightful teacosy is 100% cotton and sizes up at H= 26cm W= 30cm. It is a great accompianment to the teapot and comes in at only £5.49

The Sugar and Milk Set are once again Hand Painted and with it being such a sweet (pardon the joke) set you really cant resist it if you are geting the teapot and cup sets. It is only £6.99 for the complete set. Quite frankly a bargain.

For a full range of the I LOVE UK items here is the link to AMAZON for it:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_20?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=premier+housewares+i+love+uk&sprefix=premier+housewares+i%2Caps%2C399

Some absolutly lovely pieces I'm sure you will agree. So have a look at the link and your table will be all set for a fantastic celbration.

Stay Creative...

-Z

Im BACK and the Queens Premier Jubilee Items

Hi Everybody

Sorry I have not been on for a while but I have been mega busy and to be honest I have had a few Internet problems. But all seems well and good at the moment SO.......I'M BACK ...READY OR NOT lol lol ...:) :) :)

I started thinking about the next few weeks and thought about the Queens Jubilee week here in the UK and celebrated all over the Commonwealth.

There is so many products out on the market I'm not really sure where to start. However the main focus will be tableware and if you are having a street party or commemorative goods for the perfect celebration for one of the longest reigning monarchs in the world.

I saw this advert in the great British Food Magazine supplement and quite simply WOW. This sums up exactly what I am talking about when it comes to partys and celebration items for this wonderful occasion. It is advertising this company once again Premier Housewares who are a UK based company. I found their items on AMAZON so I need to find these and give you a general price guide, That way you can buy all your items in time for your party. My favourites though have to be the cake stand and the teapot. There is nothing like a good cup of tea. I am saying this to you I am actually having a nice hot cup of tea. AAAHHHhhhhhh!!! :) :)

I will report back with more info on these for you

Until Then...Stay Creative :)

-Z

Childrens Kitchen Craftmanship

Hi there

I was listening to the radio on my way to work this morning, here in the UK and there was a discussion on children and their cooking skills. One study has claimed that by the time a child is 12-13, they should beable to make a pot of soup from scratch. This way the child is more likely to get into the kitchen and help out or even make a meal rather than go for fast food.

Only half of mothers questioned described themselves as a good cook as against three-quarters of grandmothers, raising fears that younger generations are not getting into the habit of homecoming, in favour of ready meals and takeaways.

Of 2,039 people interviewed on behalf of the Potato Council, one-fifth of mothers said they rarely or never taught their children to cook, with many claiming that young people do not want to learn, or that it is too messy.

Sophie Grigson, the television chef and food writer who is supporting the council's campaign for more people to grow their own food, said that she was "saddened" by the results of the survey.

Above source: The Telegraph Web Site

Many questions will arise here. Such as is there a right age for a child to start making a meal? How do we bring children into the kitchen and get them away from computer games and the TV? and should schools be making more of an effort in the skills that children should posses in the home? Do you think that parents today are failing there children in the domestic care field or do you feel that we excel in home pride and domestic chores?

I was wondering on some of your thoughts. Do you give your child the run of the kitchen or do you feel that cutting vegetables with a sharp knife is to much responsibility pre-teen. So many questions and so many answers out there. 

Please let me know. I would love to here from you.

Let me know what you think..stay creative...
-Z

MAY...the style be with you...

Hey guys :)

Well we are into May and the year is running away with us.

I thought I might look at table layouts for your dining table.

Once again this is where your imagination and creative ideas can run wild. Whether you are entertaining or just you want something for the everyday use there is style and design pieces that are sure to inspire you.

I think the best policy at times is keep it simple yet creative. Colour schemes are key here and you don't want to many colours. Candelabras or candle sticks are always a nice touch. With attention to details such items that should be on the table are cloth napkins with stylish napkin rings, even a table runner to put the focus on your arrangement.

When it comes t flowers and flower arrangements, some may think it is high maintenance or you have to be a full time florist to create the look you desire.....Not the case at all in fact not only can it be very therapeutic, it doesn't have to be high maintenance with many flowers nowadays lasting much longer and even supermarket flowers and in-expensive and most come with a feed to keep them going longer. When it comes to flowers, it is always best to look at the season and decide which is best, which means every time to change your flowers per season you have yourself a guideline for changing your colour scheme to match for the rest of the table. :) :)

Keep the clutter to a minimum as the more you put on the less space you have to  place all your delicios food on the table or even see each other :).....

To be honest the table is a blank canvas for you to apply the ideasand create a masterpiece.

For everyday layout and design keeping colours together and you could even change the flowers to coincide with the time/seasons of the year.

Setting a Christmas table doesn't have to be scary. In my view keep it simple and it will look that festive.

This centre piece is actually edible with fruit segments and chocolate pieces

Until we speak again...stay stylish
-Z